
Sleep Position May Influence Risk for Neurodegenerative Diseases
A new study from the Mayo Clinic suggests that sleeping in the supine position may be a modifiable risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and mild cognitive impairment.

Heart Rate Variability During Sleep in Participants with Comorbid Traumatic Brain Injury, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and RBD
NAPS Investigator, Miranda Lim, MD, Hannah Cunningham, and a team of researchers from Oregon Health & Science University conducted a study to compare heart rate variability during sleep in patients with both RBD and neurotrauma (RBD+NT) in comparison to only RBD, only neurotrauma, and controls.

Annual International RBD Study Group Meeting | June 2024
The annual International RBD Study Group meeting took place in the United Kingdom in June.
Several NAPS investigators and support teams attended and contributed to leading discussions for the event. They highlighted advancements in clinical research, discussed research design and outcomes, and shared updates from the NAPS study.

The First Person to be Diagnosed with RBD | CNN
Dr. Carlos Schenck, NAPS Scientific Advisory Board member and physician who first described RBD, discusses the importance of seeking medical evaluation for acting out dreams.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD): Personal Perspectives and Research Priorities
Dr. Carlos Schenck from the Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorder Center recently published a paper that offers a historical and personal perspective on REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) since its original discovery in 1985. As we approach the 40th anniversary of this discovery, Dr. Schenck's insights shed light on the significant milestones achieved following his initial observation in 1986.

High-Intensity Exercise Can Reverse Neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s Disease
A new study suggests that high-intensity exercise may not only slow down but also potentially reverse neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease by preserving and enhancing dopamine-producing neurons. This finding is significant as it demonstrates, for the first time via brain imaging, that intense exercise can positively alter the brain's biology in Parkinson’s patients.

New Blood Test Pinpoints Parkinson's Disease Through Mitochondrial DNA Damage
In a recent study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, researchers investigate the potential of mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) injury as a serological marker for Parkinson's disease (PD) using the novel Mito DNADX test.

RBD Behavior Spectrum
RBD is characterized by the loss of normal muscle atonia during REM sleep, leading to the physical enactment of dreams. The spectrum of behaviors exhibited by individuals with RBD can vary widely, ranging from mild movements to more severe and potentially dangerous actions.

It's Imperative to Prioritize Safety Measures in RBD Sleeping Environments
Safety is often overlooked when discussing REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), yet it remains crucial. Undiagnosed RBD poses risks beyond sleep disturbances, extending to potential harm to oneself or others. Here are specific suggestions to optimize safety in the setting of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder.

Skin Problems May Be Early Signs of a Neurologic Condition
The epidermis holds clues to certain neurologic disorders. Learn about what specialists look for and how they interpret what they find.

Why Acting Out in Dreams May Signal a Health Issue
Learn more about the work that we support from The Washington Post.

AAN 2024 | Establishing the North American Prodromal Synucleinopathy (NAPS) Consortium
Aleksandar Videnovic, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, talks on the establishment of the North American Prodromal Synucleinopathy (NAPS) Consortium.

What is Frontotemporal Dementia?
As the name suggests, Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) affects the frontal lobe and/or temporal lobes of the brain. Signs and symptoms vary, depending on which part of the brain is atrophying, or shrinking. Genetic mutations and dysfunctional proteins in the brain have been linked to FTD.

A Neurological Disease Paradigm Shift
In a paper published in The Lancet Neurology, a group of scientists, including NAPS Co-Investigator, Ronald Postuma, MD, MSc (McGill), argue that developing effective treatments for Parkinson’s disease demands a new way of classifying the disease for research purposes, one based not on clinical diagnosis but biology. The authors have called their biological model “SynNeurGe”.

Insights Into Prodromal Parkinson's and REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Indu Subramanian (UCLA) speaks with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) expert and NAPS Co-Investigator, Ronald Postuma, MD, MSc (McGill), about prodromal Parkinsons's disease and it's link to RBD.

Research Reveals Crucial Role of Saturated Fatty Acids in Memory Creation Process
Researchers uncover how brain fats are crucial for memory, identifying genes that could lead to treatments for Alzheimer's. This new understanding of fatty acids opens exciting avenues for neurodegenerative disease therapies.

RBD Quote of the Week: Aleksandar Videnovic, MD, MSc | Massachusetts General Hospital
“By focusing on RBD research, we have an unprecedented opportunity to develop clinical trials aimed at stopping the progression of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. I can’t think of more rewarding work.”
– Aleksandar Videnovic, MD, MSc
Massachusetts General Hospital

Aggregation and beyond: alpha-synuclein-based biomarkers in synucleinopathies
Many studies have posed a-synuclein as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for Parkinson's Disease. Due to its abundance in the body, several modes for sample collection are currently being investigated, including tissue and fluid samples.

Installation of Yo-El Ju, MD as the Barbara Burton and Reuben M. Morriss III Professor at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
The professorship was created through a bequest from the late Reuben M. Morriss III and Barbara Burton Morriss to Washington University, to advance Alzheimer’s disease research.

NAPS Consortium Site Spotlight: Emory University
Our team is committed to further the NAPS study's mission to support clinical care, advance discovery, promote education, and engage our community in order to improve the quality of life and care of individuals living with RBD. Learn more about the team at Emory University.